HS SOFTBALL: Big tourneys on tap this weekend

In a year in which some parents are already behaving more deplorably than ever, itís time to really get the high school softball coverage under way.

Once again leading the way are two big events with the Rancocas Valley Elite and the Mt. St. Dominic tournaments both slated for today.

One thing you can not accuse Rancocas Valley of is rigging the bracket behind the host Hollies will open against Robbinsville at noon - field conditions permitting. Robbinsville, of course, has been to two straight state finals and there are a whole lot of softer opponents in the bracket than the Ravens.

Anyway, should Robbinsville advance it will face the winner of the game between Notre Dame and Williamstown, which is arguably the best opener of the entire 16-team tournament.

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Notre Dame has an excellent hitting team and is off to a 4-0 start. Williamstown, meanwhile, is one of the top teams in South Jersey and is led by pitcher Tiarra Sanabria, who has already signed with the strong University of Louisville program.

Other locals in the RV Tournament, which is scheduled to conclude tomorrow afternoon with the semifinals and finals, are Bordentown, Cherokeem, Shawnee, and New Egypt.

Speaking of Shawnee, note the Renegades are now up to No. 4 in The Trentonianís ratings despite the fact they have two losses. Keep in mind, however, the losses were to strong teams from Ohio and Illinois in Florida, and Shawnee has been rolling behind the pitching of Jackie Pezzato since coming home.

Up at Caldwell College, No. 1 Pennsbury will face Immaculate Concepcion in its opener before taking on host Mt. St. Dominic in the second game. Itís been a while since Pennsbury went 2-0 at this tournament and the Falcons will certainly be tested again today.

Last week Mt. St. Dominic beat fifth-ranked Allentown when its pitcher threw a no-hitter and you can be sure the host team thinks itís pretty good if it scheduled itself against Pennsbury.

Finally, the biggest win over the last week was turned in by No. 6 Conwell-Egan when it rallied with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to nip St. Hubertís, 3-2.

This should serve as a big confidence booster to Conwell-Egan, which is off to a 6-1 start. The lone loss was to Northern of Maryland, which has a stud pitcher who has signed with Penn State.

One of the best games this week pits Steinert at Conwell-Egan on Thursday in what should be a very competitive contest. Also keep your eye on the Notre Dame at Allentown game, which was rained out yesterday and rescheduled for Tuesday.

EXPLANATION

We have received a couple of calls inquiring why Hunterdon Central is no longer in The Trentonianís Area Softball Ratings. The answer is simple: The disgusting and unfair treatment of former coach Pete Fick.

Any school that would treat a coach of Fickís stature in this way does not deserve coverage in these pages.

Itís much like last year when Montgomery was dropped from our ratings following the disgraceful and unwarranted dismissal of coach John Rooney.